X

Museum of English Rural Life

University of Reading, Redlands Road, Reading, BERKSHIRE, RG1 5EX
Close window

Call direct on:

Tel+44 0118 378 8660

Museum of English Rural Life, Reading
  • Museum of English Rural Life, Reading
  • Display inside Museum of English Rural Life, Reading
  • Artefact inside Museum of English Rural Life
  • Visitors enjoying time at Museum of English Rural Life, Reading
  • Museum of English Rural Life
  • Display about Autumn inside the Museum of Rural Life, Reading
  • Family fun at the Museum of English Rural Life, Reading
  • Educational displays at the Museum of English Rural Life, Berkshire

Tickets online reserveren

Over

The Museum of English Rural Life (The MERL) in Reading is England’s most extensive museum dedicated to farming, food, craft, rural life and countryside issues. 

The MERL contains an astonishing array of items which tell an important part of the history of England. The museum brings this extraordinary collection of objects*, archives, photographs and books to life in nine new, innovative and intriguing galleries.  Each gallery explores a different theme such as A Year on the FarmTown and Country, and Forces for Change. The interactive, immersive displays explore questions of identity, environment, technology, culture and health. Whatever your relationship with the countryside and rural life, you’ll find objects that fascinate and inspire you. You’ll discover stories that surprise and move you, and challenge you to think about rural England, past and present, in different ways.  

A short walk from the centre of Reading, and easily accessible by the bus, rail or road, The MERL is an unexpected treasure waiting to be explored. Whether you visit on your own, on a group visit, or with friends and family, you’re sure of a warm welcome and a high quality, interesting and enjoyable experience. There’s a bright and modern Welcome Space with refreshment area and thoughtfully stocked shop, as well as a beautiful, sheltered garden with picnic space, games, growing beds and a Shepherds Hut.  

The MERL welcomes families and offers a variety of opportunities to explore through hands-on activities, digital interactives, games and trails – indoors and in the garden.  

Groups are also welcome to book in advance. You will be looked after by a volunteer Welcome Host will introduce the museum, its history and collections and accompany your group throughout the visit to provide extra insights and share more of the stories behind the objects on display. 

Admission to The MERL is free. The Museum is open Tuesday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and at weekends from 10am to 5pm. 

Plan a visit to the Museum of English Rural Life in Reading as part of your journey along the Great West Way! 

Deel dit met vrienden

Richtprijzen

Type ticketTarief ticket
Adult - Adult ticketGratis
Child - Child ticketGratis

Opmerking: Prijzen zijn slechts een richtlijn en kunnen dagelijks veranderen.

Kaart en instructies

Bewegwijzering

 We encourage visitors to use alternative methods of transport to get to the MERL, but if you need to come by car, the postcode for Sat Navs is RG1 5EX (6 Redlands Road)

Some parking is available.

There is a small car park for Museum visitors at the front of our building. Spaces are limited.

Visitors are also welcome to use the University Acacia Road car park adjacent to the Museum. Please collect a permit from the Museum reception, to be displayed in your car. During University term time and on Friday mornings this car park can be very busy.

Some paid street parking is available on Redlands Road. There is a maximum stay of 2 hours. Due to the proximity of the Hospital, this parking is in high demand.

The closest public car park is the Queens Road car park a 10 minute walk away. ​​​​

Instructies voor openbaar vervoer

The nearest rail station to the MERL is Reading, which is easily accessible by regular, fast trains from London Paddington, as well as via London Waterloo, as well as by coach from Heathrow. It is well connected by rail routes from the North, South and West via Bournemouth, Bristol, Oxford, Guildford and Basingstoke.

The MERL is a 20 minute walk from the station.

From stop SA at the station Leopard 3, Leopard 10, Silver 9 or Claret 22 connect to stops at the Royal Berkshire Hospital (Craven Road or Addington Road stops), or Claret 21 or 21A stop on Kendrick Road (Crown Place) which are within easy walking distance of the Museum.

We have a secure bike rack in the car park by the main entrance to the Museum. The ‘UoR London Road’ Readybike station is at the end of Acacia Road, right outside the entrance to our car park, so you can pick up a bike at any station across Reading and leave it right here!

Faciliteiten

Betaalmethoden

  • Geschatte duur van bezoek
  • Groepen welkom
  • MasterCard geaccepteerd
  • Maximale groepsgrootte
  • Minimum groepsgrootte
  • Speciale groepstarieven
  • Visa geaccepteerd
  • Vooraf boeken is aan te raden

Catering

  • Café/restaurant/catering ter plaatse
  • Picknickplaats

Doelmarkten

  • Gepromoot voor gezinnen
  • Gepromoot voor kinderen
  • Gepromoot voor ouderen

Hoofdkenmerken

  • Buitenattractie
  • In stad/stadscentrum
  • Overdekte attractie
  • Rookvrije attractie

Kenmerken van de onderneming

  • Conferentiefaciliteiten
  • Toiletten

Parkeren en vervoer

  • Parkeren (gratis)
  • Ter plaatse parkeren

Toegankelijkheid

  • Alle ruimtes toegankelijk voor gehandicapten
  • Faciliteiten voor slechthorende bezoekers
  • Geleidehonden toegestaan
  • Helling/gelijkvloerse toegang
  • Parkeerplaatsen voor gehandicapten

Tours en demonstraties

  • Educatieve bezoeken geaccepteerd

Openingstijden

2024 (1 Jan 2024 - 31 Dec 2024)
DagTijden
MaandagGesloten*
Dinsdag - Vrijdag09:00 - 17:00*
Zaterdag - Zondag10:00 - 17:00*
FeestdagGesloten

* The Museum galleries are closed on Mondays, but the shop and café (and reading room) are open. The reading room is closed at weekends.
Closed Bank Holidays

Dates and times marked with a '*' are provisional and may be subject to change

TripAdvisor

Accreditatie

  • Andere awards Zelfbeoordeling toegankelijkheid 2024

Wat is er in de buurt

  1. Reading Abbey Quarter

    You can also see the mill arch over the Holy Brook. This is the only remaining part of…

    0.73 mijl weg
  2. Reading Museum

    Twelve hands-on galleries including Roman Silchester, changing art gallery, Box Room,…

    0.76 mijl weg
  3. Thames Lido

    The Thames Lido is an urban retreat open all year round offering spa days and swimming…

    0.89 mijl weg
  1. Thames Rivercruise Ltd.

    Thames Rivercruise is a family business based at the heart of the Upper Thames and cruise…

    1.47 mijl weg
  2. Bozedown Alpacas

    We are a family run business, established in 1989. You are welcome to visit without…

    5.92 mijl weg
  3. River & Rowing Museum

    The River & Rowing Museum is situated in the picturesque town of Henley on Thames and…

    6.42 mijl weg
  4. Hobbs of Henley Boat Trips

    Enjoy the River Thames - from public cruises or self-drive and chauffeur-driven days out,…

    6.52 mijl weg
  5. Henley Rowing Association

    Come and ‘have a go’ at rowing at Henley – home to the world-famous Royal Regatta! From…

    6.54 mijl weg
  6. Nuffield Place

    Closed for 2009.

    Home and gardens of Lord Nuffield founder of Morris Motors and…

    9.84 mijl weg
  7. Swinley Bike Hub

    Hire a bike and explore Swinley Forest on the green , blue and red trails fit for all the…

    10.24 mijl weg
  8. Stonor Park

    Home to the Stonor family for over 850 years, Stonor Park dominates a magnificent view of…

    10.3 mijl weg
  9. West Berkshire Brewery

    West Berkshire Brewery is an independent brewery nestled in the heart of Berkshire with…

    10.53 mijl weg
  10. Maidenhead Heritage Centre

    Fly a Spitfire simulator at this local museum which covers local history from the Romans…

    11.5 mijl weg
  11. Ascot Racecourse

    From the social whirl of Royal Ascot in June to 21 Ascot Racedays throughout the year…

    12.29 mijl weg
  12. Dr Chocs

    In 2017, we stumbled upon a lovely chocolate factory, “Mayan Monkey Mijas” in Spain, and…

    15.29 mijl weg
Previous Next

Verwant

Caversham Princess, Thames Rivercruise on the thames near ReadingReading, ReadingBe amazed by modern Reading – from remarkable medieval heritage and beautiful Thames countryside to award-winning shopping centres, there’s a surprise around every corner.

Mis het niet

Mis het niet

Mis het niet

Mis het niet

Mis het niet